Backyard of Doom

Hi guys!  Thought I'd introduce my backyard situation to you.  Backyard of doom is a bit dramatic but that's what it feels like sometimes.  I've been in the house for almost a year now.  I moved in at the end of August and it was hot as blazes!  I got a little over zealous about gardening and planted some shrubs before I got the drip irrigation installed.  That ended up being a mistake...

As you can see, there's a significant hill at the back that is a PAIN in the keester to mow!  I decided immediately that I needed to make it a non issue when I'm in my 60s mowing my own lawn!  I'm well into my 50s and it kicks my butt!  I didn't do any close ups but there are some shrubs along the back that I planted last year.  I had a 50/50 survival rate on my late season shrubs.  The ultimate goal is to have the little hill covered in shrubs/ ground cover so that I don't have to mow.  So far, I have Sweet Spire, Lilac, a couple hydrangeas, and a Black Lace Elderberry.  When I moved in, they had tomatoes and strawberries planted in all that shade...

A former owner was a 'concrete guy' according to my neighbors... he produced this little monstrosity.  Last weekend, I started operation 'Cover-Up'.  The plan is to have the coneflowers grow and spread, eventually disguising the platform.  I can't lift the cement planters, so I'll probably fill them at some point.  Now that the irrigation is installed, I should be able to keep something alive. 

Someone told me that flamingos are a symbol that Swingers use to announce they are open to sexy-time shenanigans.  Please note, this is not the case for me...  I love flamingos and I won't let the Swingers own the rights to my tacky little pink friends.  One is currently missing an eye.  A problem for another day.

I got a couple of pots for the patio.  I can finally get begonias and caladiums now that I have a shady backyard.  I remember seeing these giant begonias in Ireland and wishing I had some shade to keep some of my own alive.  Currently have more shade than I know what to do with.

There was a hastily thrown together fire pit in the middle of the yard.  I was able to get rid of the brick and pile of branches for the most part.  The house was sold with a pile of branches in the middle of the yard.  Under the pile of branches, I discovered a 'fire pit' that I didn't want.  Mowing around that was so obnoxious.  This is at least easier and less trashy, even with the big bald spot.

They had a brick ring around the tree with a few flowers planted.  And this white rock EVERYWHERE.  I was confused about the rock.  But, I think it's because the Squirrel Mafia live in this tree.  I number of my plantings, in ground and in pots have been dug up and discarded by the Squirrel Mafia a-holes.  Literally, they just dig my stuff up and toss aside.  Is the rock meant to prevent the Squirrel Mafia from digging?  Shawn did some research for me and suggested to sprinkle cayenne around my new plantings.  So far, so good with the cayenne.  

I started removing the ring last summer, got over heated and decided there was plenty to do in the house where I have air-conditioning.  I promised myself I would do it in the spring.  As you can see, that did not happen.  They used brick blocks and plastic ring.  A couple different types of brick... there was considerable effort made to ring the tree.  A Spanish Oak, in case you're curious.

The awning was complete when I purchased the house.  I lost a couple sheets of covering during some wind storms over the winter.  The big question is what to do about it.

I think we can all agree that the green sheeting isn't very attractive.  Not to mention, do I really need more shade?  That giant Spanish Oak plus my neighbors' giant trees mean the yard gets fullish shade for 85% of the day.  Especially in the afternoons.  I'm thinking of doing a trellis type covering?  Maybe.  Something that would allow more light into the dining room.

There you have it friends.  Another incomplete project by Heather Mantz.  It took weeks to properly install the drip irrigation.  At one point, I bought a defective timer.  So, it's been a slow process but I can see the potential.  Now that things are getting water without my constant supervision, I think it'll be a lot easier moving forward.

I've given myself until Labor Day Weekend to finish the kitchen.  The old cabinets need refinishing and I keep running out of shelf liner.  I had a couple quotes from electricians for the electrical craziness that is going on.  Now to decide when I have 2 free days that I wouldn't mind sitting in a house with no electricity to get the work done.  I've also decided to re-paint the bathroom.  And, I still need to finish baby Lilah's baby quilt.  It's 90% done...

Hope you're having a great summer!